Visit our Popular Forums

Flyingsailer · 18-10-2015, 18:54

Hello everyone. This is my first post so please...be gentle. I've been a lurker for some time now. I really enjoy reading all the new posts. My wife and I have just booked our first charter in the BVI's with yours truly as the skipper. We are going with the folks at Conch Charters. However, I sleep with a CPAP machine and was wondering if the electrical system will have enough power for all night as we will be on a mooring, and 2, which would be better plugging into a 12 volt lighter type plug or plug into 110 volt and use the on board inverter.

**skipmac** · 18-10-2015, 20:07

Hi and welcome to the forum.

From the question I assume the CPAP will run on 12V DC or 110V AC?

If yes, which one directly powers the unit, that is does the pump run on 12V that is converted from 110V or vice versa.

Whichever runs it directly avoiding conversion from whatever you plug into on the boat will be the most efficient.

The other question. I'm not familiar with a CPAP and how much power it uses. Look on the unit and there will be a label somewhere that will give the power usage. Might say something like 2 amps at 110V AC or 250 Watts or 1.5 amps at 12V DC. With that you'll know how much power the CPAP will need. Then you need to know what power capacity the boat has. Is there a generator on board? How many and what size batteries? Conch Charters should be able to tell you this.

Since you mentioned it in your post maybe you can tell me. Why do many first posters ask repliers to be gentle.? Sorry I don't get it. I'm pretty sure if some less than polite person posted a less than polite reply it would not cause actual pain. You know, sticks and stones and all that. Besides, the cardinal rule of the forum is "be nice".

Sardean · 18-10-2015, 20:32

Most charter boats only have enough power to nearly run the refrigeration all night. To overcome this plan on running the engine at about 1200 rpm
for two hours just before you go to sleep to top up batteries, try this the first night. If pap machine drops out through low power then you will have to turn of a fridge or fridges before you go to sleep.

Sent from my SM-T315T using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

**GordMay** · 19-10-2015, 02:26

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Flyingsailer.

cabo_sailor · 24-10-2015, 09:56

There Flying Sailor,
Was that gentle enough for you. 😎

Skipmac is right, I've been on this forum for a fair piece of time. There are posting rules but sometimes the forum staff will allow a little wiggle room. BUT no violations of the BE NICE rule are tolerated. So that's not something you have to worry about.

Enjoy your time here, I think you will find that most folk are friendly and are happy to share their experience.

Rich

Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

Alden 1916 · 01-11-2015, 10:11

Hello from the Pacific Northwest! ( Prince Rupert) I'm new as well. Been living aboard almost 2 years now with the First Mate and haven't done any damage to one another so far. Still trying to figure out the boat's systems and waiting for castoff day when we retire. Learning many things the hard and expensive way. Have found the C&F Forums very helpfull in past. Installing new house bank today (in the rain). Gotta go. First Mate wants breaky. Tough life I lead.

jbd3dmd · 02-11-2015, 05:43

My wife uses cpap and it is much more efficient to run it off 12v directly. Skip the humidifier and ours only draws about 1.5 amps. No problem on boats we have chartered or our own..

Sent from my SCH-I545L using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app